Aboriginal Programs Manager

 Lead the design and implementation of a service model for Aboriginal people in our care, managing a dedicated team and overseeing contracts with Aboriginal Service Providers at Ravenhall.

 Establish strong connections with Aboriginal community organisations to enhance service delivery, build capacity across the system, and provide specialised programs aimed at reducing reoffending and improving wellbeing.

 Ensure Aboriginal people in our care receive comprehensive pre- and post-release support, fostering connections to family, culture, and country to strengthen rehabilitation outcomes.

Full Time salary $143,000 - $149,000 plus superannuation 

Identified Role: Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply for this position

About Ravenhall Correctional Centre

Ravenhall is Victoria’s largest, medium security prison for adult sentenced and unsentenced males. Its contemporary campus-style design provides a safe and humane environment that enables and nurtures GEOs Continuum of Care operating philosophy.

Ravenhall also has a dedicated Forensic Mental Health Unit and a specialised Closed Supervision Unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours. In recognition of the importance of Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex people in our care with access to post-release support at GEO’s Community Reintegration Centre.

With key focus on young adult offenders, Aboriginal and those with complex and mental health needs, have significant opportunities to engage in work, education, programs and services, through an evidence based approach to reduce re-offending.

Through investment in opportunities for people in our care to engage in work, education and programs, prisoners are not only held safely and securely but given every chance to turn their lives around. Issues behind much of the crime in our communities – such as violent attitudes, anti-social behaviours and the abuse of drugs and alcohol – are addressed through innovative programs and interventions. At the same time helping the people in our care with day-to-day challenges such as gaining and holding down employment and finding a suitable place to live also help prevent a return to crime.

Ravenhall’s unprecedented emphasis on offender rehabilitation and reintegration is evidenced through collaborative and integrated relationships with key Alliance service partners including Forensicare, GEO Health Car Plus, The Y, Honeywell and Bendigo Kangan Institute of Tafe. Together, Ravenhall provides an integrated service system that collaboratively brings about lasting positive change in the lives of the men in our care pre- and post-release. Through these partnerships the objective of Safer Victorian Communities is achieved.  

About the Opportunity

The Manager, Aboriginal Programs will play a key role in the design and development of the service model for Aboriginal people in our care at Ravenhall.  This includes developing and managing their own team as well as being responsible for the direct contract management of Ravenhall’s Aboriginal Service Providers.  This role will focus on building connections and partnerships with Aboriginal community organisations with a commitment to building capacity across the service system and delivering specialised programs to Aboriginal people in our care that address the drivers of reoffending and improve social and emotional wellbeing.  This role will be committed to ensuring that Ravenhall meets the needs of Aboriginal people in our care via pre- and post-release programs and services founded upon strengthening connections to family, culture and country.

Your Skills & Experience

To be successful in the role you will possess the following:

Key Responsibilities

• Program Development & Leadership: Design and refine service delivery for Aboriginal people in our care, finalise programs, and lead recruitment for Aboriginal Programs staff.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships: Build relationships with Aboriginal community organisations, facilitate service integration, and ensure culturally responsive practices.
• Ongoing Management & Service Oversight: Lead and support staff, monitor contracted services, oversee training, and drive continuous improvement for reintegration outcomes.
• Service Evaluation & Improvement: Establish and implement evaluation processes to enhance service delivery for Aboriginal people in our care.
• Data & Reporting Management: Ensure accurate data collection and reporting to measure program effectiveness against key performance indicators.
• Operational & Contract Oversight: Monitor and manage the performance of contracted Aboriginal service providers to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Staff Training & Cultural Responsiveness: Provide training and support to Ravenhall staff to ensure culturally responsive practices in program delivery.
• Community Reintegration Support: Strengthen reintegration pathways for Aboriginal people in our care through services at the Community Reintegration Centre.

Essential:

• Cultural Expertise & Commitment: Strong knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with a dedication to improving outcomes.
• Community Engagement & Partnerships: Proven ability to build relationships with Victorian Aboriginal organisations to drive positive change.
• Program & Team Leadership: Experience in developing, managing, and evaluating Aboriginal programs in complex service environments, including staff leadership and mentoring.
• Stakeholder & Collaboration Skills: Strong interpersonal abilities to foster partnerships across public and private sectors.
• Performance & Communication Excellence: Skilled in monitoring, reporting, problem-solving, and delivering high-quality written and verbal communication.

About the Benefits

Joining GEO is your chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of prisoners, their families and the community. Benefits of working for GEO, include but are not limited to:

• Role diversity and internal career progression opportunities
• Ongoing funding for professional development opportunities (including further education sponsorship)
• Support with Professional Registration costs
• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive salary and rewards scheme
• Free parking
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff gym
• Subsidised meals
• Fitness Passport to promote wellbeing. Discounted gym and pool access for members and their families to over 1500 fitness facilities across Australia.
• REACH Program
• Discounted Private Health Insurance (Medibank Private)
• VCEA (Victorian Correctional Employees Association)  

How to Apply

To initiate the application process, click on the "Apply" button and proceed through the application questionnaire located beneath the job advertisement.

The application process has several stages, and should your application advance, you will be expected to engage in the following steps:

• In-Person (preferred) or Virtual Interview Attendance.
• Reference checks will be conducted following the interview.
• National Police Certificate Authority Clearance 
• Pre-Employment Medical and Fitness Assessment, which will be covered by our organisation. The evaluation will likely include various aspects, including assessed lifting capacity, aerobic fitness, lung function, grip strength, upper body strength, lower body strength, and core strength.

Important: Please note that Pre-Employment clearance can take up to approximately 6-8 weeks. 

For any enquiries, or to discuss the position in more detail please contact a member of the Human Resources Team on (03) 8363 6356 or at ravenhallcareers@geogroup.com.au - Applications close at 11:59pm, Sunday 15 June  2025

We are always looking for people to join our company who share the values that we stand for:

INTEGRITY - RESPECT - ACCOUNTABLE - AGILE - INNOVATIVE